The Municipality of Maribor has officially released its long-awaited Strategy and Heat Action Plan in response to increasing heat waves and their impact on public health, infrastructure, and quality of life. This initiative aims to protect vulnerable groups while promoting sustainable urban development to mitigate future heat stress.
The main goal of the plan is to ensure the well-being of Maribor’s residents and visitors by introducing a variety of short-, medium-, and long-term measures. These include greening the city, improving insulation in buildings, and creating shaded public spaces. Special attention is given to the elderly, children, pregnant women, and outdoor workers, with guidelines in place to protect these at-risk populations during extreme heat events.
The plan also features an emergency Heat Warning System, which will notify the public via online platforms and city displays about impending heat waves, offering advice on safety measures. Additionally, the city will provide publicly accessible cooling areas and increase the availability of drinking water in public spaces.
Incorporating sustainable design principles, the plan will encourage urban greening projects such as rooftop solar power, tree planting, and water conservation efforts to enhance Maribor’s resilience to rising temperatures. Collaboration with local stakeholders ensures that the plan is comprehensive and data-driven, using climate projections to forecast an increase in both hot days and tropical nights by mid-century.
The Strategy and Heat Action Plan positions Maribor as a pilot city for innovative climate adaptation measures, leading the way in safeguarding its community against the escalating challenges of climate change.